Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory

Later in 1846, Solomon Spiegelbergstarted a small mercantile firm of his own in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Now that he was a settled businessman in Santa Fe, Solomon Spiegelbergbegan bringing his brothers – Levi, Elias, Emanuel, Lehman and Willi– and sisters – Hannchen and Mindelchen — to America. Siblings Abraham and Eva remained in Germany.

Levi Spiegelberg, the first brother to arrive, joined Solomon in the business, which they called Spiegelberg Brothers.

Their store, located across from the Governor’s palace, sold groceries and dry goods

.

The Spiegelberg Building-Santa Fe,NM [1882]

By 1850, Spiegelberg Brothersexpanded beyond the New Mexico Territory.

Like many other successful Jewish retailers in the West, they also became wholesaler, operating at two levels of merchandising.

Emanuel, Lehman and Willi worked as clerks in the firm when they first arrived in America.

After several years of contributing to the success of the business, they were admitted into the partnership of Spiegelberg Brothers.

Elias Spiegelberg died shortly after his arrival when his house collapsed in the night.

Spiegelberg Brothers set an example for future merchants by importing and exporting goods to and from Europe and New York, advertising in English and Spanish and providing excellent window displays with “female models.”

It offered credit to Hispanic workers, who were usually underpaid.

It also traded goods for scrip (in lieu of cash) to help ease the financial burden of their clientele.

In 1872, the Spiegelberg brothers started the Second National Bank of Santa Fe.

LehmanSpiegelbergwas the president and Willi Spiegelberg was the cashier.

In addition to their mercantile firm and bank, the brothers invested in mining projects, mail contracts, construction and land speculation.

In 1866, the Spiegelbergbrothers closed the retail business and concentrated their efforts on the wholesale aspect of their firm.

Fraternal

Solomon, Lehman, Emanuel, Levi and WilliSpiegelbergwere members of the local Masonic Lodge.

Civic

Lehman Spiegelbergserved as treasurer of the German Aid Society.

Willi Spiegelberg was president of the Santa Fe Board of Tradeand served as Probate Judgein 1880.

In 1895, President Cleveland appointed Willi Spiegelberg as the Territorial Governor of New Mexico.

The Spiegelberg’s were major funders in the building of the St. Francis Cathedralin downtown Santa Fe.

In the Spiegelman’s family honor, the Hebrew letters denoting the Jewish word for “God” are part of the stone cap over the large wooden doors of the cathedral.

“God” in Hebrew letters above the front doors of the Cathedral in Santa Fe.

Fraternal

Solomon, Lehman, Emanuel, Levi and WilliSpiegelbergwere members of the local Masonic Lodge.

Civic

Lehman Spiegelberg served as Treasurer of the German Aid Society.

Willi Spiegelberg was President of the Santa Fe Board of Trade and served as Probate Judge in 1880.

In 1895, President Clevelandappointed Willi Spiegelberg as the Territorial Governor of New Mexico.

Family

The Spiegelberg brothers sought wives in Germany and the Eastern United States, where the Jewish community was larger.

LeviSpiegelberg met and marriedBettyin Missouri; she journeyed to Santa Fe early in 1860.

LehmanSpiegelbergmarried CarrieLeopoldfrom Illinois.

WilliSpiegelbergmet and married Flora Langermann, in Nuremberg in 1874.

Mindelchen Spiegelberg(also known as Hildegarde) later married Albert Grunsfeld, for whom Congregation Albertin Albuquerque was named.

Their son, Alfred Grunsfeld, was a bar mitzvahin 1876, the first bar mitzvahin New Mexico.

Due to health issues, Solomon Spiegelbergleft New Mexico for New York in 1854.

In 1888,Willi and Flora Spiegelbergdecided to leave for New York, too.

Though Jewish life was growing in New Mexico, they wanted more for their children.

By 1889, Lehman and Carrie Spiegelbergleft Santa Fe, as well.

Solomon Spiegelberg died in 1898 in Meran, Austria.

Lehman Spiegelberg died in 1904.

Levi Spiegelberg died in 1906 in New York.

Willi Spiegelberg died in 1929 in New York City.

Death Certificates of Hildegarde & Albert Grunsfeld, who stayed in New Mexico.

More information on the Spiegelbergs can be found in the following issue of Western States Jewish History: